How to Use Reported Speech in Italian: A Guide for English Speakers

What is Reported Speech?

Reported speech, known as "discorso indiretto" in Italian, is a way to express what someone else has said without quoting their exact words. Understanding how to properly use this form in Italian helps improve both your speaking and writing skills.

Direct vs. Indirect Speech

In direct speech, you quote someone's exact words. In indirect speech, you paraphrase their words. Notice how the tense and pronouns might change:
Direct: "Ho fame," Luigi ha detto.
Indirect: Luigi ha detto che aveva fame.

Tense Changes in Reported Speech

When shifting from direct to indirect speech in Italian, it's important to adjust the verb tense. Here's a quick guide:

• Present becomes Imperfetto
• Past Tense becomes Trapassato
• Future Tense becomes Conditional

Report Phrases and Expressions

Italian often uses phrases like "dire che" (to say that) or "affermare che" (to affirm that) to introduce reported speech. Pay attention to how these are structured:

Common Reporting Verbs

Common reporting verbs in Italian include: dire, affermare, spiegare, raccontare, aggiungere. These verbs may require the "che" clause for introducing indirect speech.

Reported Questions

When reporting questions, the structure changes slightly. For example:
Direct: "Cosa stai facendo?"
Indirect: Lui ha chiesto cosa stessi facendo.

Time and Place References

In reported speech, words that pertain to time and place need adjustment. For example, "oggi" becomes "quel giorno" and "qui" becomes "lì."

Mastering reported speech in Italian requires practice, but it's an essential skill for effective communication. Keep practicing and revising these structures to build your confidence.